# NTSB FTW89LA123: Piper PA-28R, N15250, Port Aransas, TX, July 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1989, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Aransas, TX
- Coordinates: 27.819822, -97.059181 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8198&lon=-97.0592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA123

## Probable cause

THE COLLAPSE OF THE TAXIWAY, WHICH WAS INADEQUATELY MAINTAINED.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - airport facilities,taxiway condition - soft (cause)
  - other airport/runway maintenance - inadequate (cause)

## Analysis

AS THE PLT WAS TAXIING TO TAKEOFF ON A HOT DAY, THE TAXIWAY SURFACE COLLAPSED UNDER THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING SPAR WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15250](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15250), registered now, S/N 28R-7335043 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7335043
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mckinley, Paul
- Registered owner: Mckinley, Paul C
- Destination: NONE, SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Airport: 2R8, Mustang Beach

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 573 total, 425 in this make and model, 470 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890701019479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890701019479A), Jul 1, 1989: Piper PA28R200, Port Aransas, TX, Substantial damage. Taxiing for takeoff. Surface collapsed under left main gear due extreme heat. Bent wing spar.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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